BrickLink Designer Program - Series 2

It's back again... Vote for your favourite fan-designed LEGO set until 30th June 2023.

There are some great designs yet again, plenty of new builds to browse and some of the same builds trying to reach the top 5 this time around.

Not all designers get close to the 4,000 piece limit they are restricted to, and in fact the smaller designs would be more affordable (it seems from the previous round that those who select the top 5 will want a range of sizes as options).

I won't go into too much detail about the designs on show, but will try and give a variety of those that caught my eye.

I'll start with the 'Mushroom House', by JonasKramm, as it seems to be a very popular set this series. With other designs ranging from less than 10 comments up to about 60 comments on average (from what I could tell), this colourful, fantasy house for elves has over 130 comments praising the design. If I was a betting man I'd be putting money on this one being in the top 5... If you aren't a fan of it personally, you probably have a family member who would love it.

There are a number of ships to vote for, and my favourite would be the 'Imperial Ship - Vengeance', by BrickMOCBay, with its ornate detailing and using almost the entire 4,000 pieces allowed.

A few spaceships are also in the list, but the one designed by giorgioChronas titled 'Space Hangar 21' is worth checking out if you love building your own spacecraft because its main feature is the landing platform which can be extended, or shrunk, to suit your purpose.

There are a few designs I liked from series 1 that have reappeared in series 2, one of these is an improved version of KreaMiriam's 'Inventor's Cottage with Secret Workshop and Time Machine'. The external of the home has a beautifully landscaped garden without any hint that the lady owner has a hidden time machine with a steam-punk vibe.

moccermommy has designed 'Johnny's Fuel & Thunder Gas Station on Route 66' which is a complete playset with 3 vehicles, and like many other entries, has it's own background story to enhance the build.

Another fun-looking playset is 'Adventures in the Golden Temple', by ademirkapisch, with an Indiana Jones feel to it. It has its heroes and villains, with lots of traps and hidden spaces.

There are planes, trains and automobiles that have been entered into series 2, 'Air Race' by letsgolegobrick may not seem to be a popular option due to the lack of comments, but the planes in the set are well-built and would be admired by many.

If you like trains, there are some of those to choose from too. 'Logging Railway', by ties25, has an old locomotive pulling a logs across a wooden trestle bridge.

LukasRS has a 'Classic Racer in 1:10 Scale' made mostly from technic bricks, and would be a cool display model for the race car lover.

And there is also a train station amongst the designs which looks quite nice with it's interesting roofline and glass paneled ceiling; 'Brick Cross Train Station' by brickester. It is also modular building compatible.

Modular buildings have again been entered into this series, each with a point of difference hoping they will get the votes that will take them one step closer to production.

'The Grocery Store' by Sp_PirateKnight, and the 'Hardware Store and Apartment Renovation' by Rich_Herbert, are both creative and well-designed modular buildings in my opinion, but the Japanese themed 'Shotengai Street Market' has the ability to be arranged in 3 different ways, and it's appearance is a nice change from the brick-style façade that is so common.

Another design entry that has the ability to be reconfigured, which makes sets more versatile, playable and personal, is the 'Ominous Isle' by jazlecraz. It is a pirate island hideout, with bridges connecting the various rock-outcrops... and of course a treasure store.

A handful of parks and playgrounds have been designed, and a few stood out to me more than the others, though I narrowed it down to one to share with you. 'Modular Pocket Park', by brick_engineer, has all the features a park needs in a small area. Each different feature has been well-designed and has the bonus of fitting in between your line of LEGO modulars to give that much needed green space.

'The Secret Inn', by IL_CERUTTI_GINO is a fun medieval themed set. It was also in series 1, and has returned hoping this time will get the inn into the final 5.

Finally I'll share a more practical design by UTLF, '4-Tier Display Stand' is designed to show off your minifigure collection the best way possible, with plenty of experimentation to ensure your minifigures' legs are protected from stress and cracking. Even if this design isn't chosen for the final 5, if you display minifigures then you should read what UTLF has to say about his design.

If you want to vote for an entry in the BrickLink Designer Program, you will need to create an account... but if you have ordered any LEGO pieces from BrickLink then you will already have an account. If there is a particular design you fall in love with, then vote, and even if it doesn't make it to production, many of these designers may sell the instructions at some point in time.

To vote, go to: www.bricklink.com/v3/designer-program/series-2/main.page

All images are from BrickLink.com.